Showing posts with label OBJECTE CONNECT. Show all posts
Showing posts with label OBJECTE CONNECT. Show all posts
Panasonic GX800
KEY FEATURES
- 16MP Four Thirds sensor with no optical low-pass filter
- 4K Video and 4K Photo
- Wi-Fi
- 12-32mm kit lens
- Flip-up 1,040k-dot LCD
- Manufacturer: Panasonic
- Review Price: £499.99
WHAT IS THE PANASONIC GX800?
Panasonic has taken the decision to simplify its line-up, ditching the GF and GM strands (in the UK at least). The GX800 is now the entry-level camera in Panasonic’s arsenal. You can move up the GX line to the GX80 or GX8, if you feel that the GX800 is too basic for you, and likewise you can start with the GX800 if you want something a little more straightforward than its siblings. All clear?
The GX800 features a 16MP Four Thirds sensor, which, as with some of the other Panasonic cameras of late, comes without an optical low-pass filter for increased detail resolution. It’s also got a flip-up LCD screen, but crucially no eye viewfinder (or possibility to attach one). Like all other current Panasonic cameras it features 4K Video and 4K Photo modes.
PANASONIC GX800 – DESIGN AND HANDLING
The smallest CSC currently offered by Panasonic, the GX800 is perhaps closer aligned in size to some of the premium compact cameras currently on the market – especially if you're using it primarily with the retractable 12-32mm kit lens. There will be four different coloured versions of the camera available to buy, but some will be exclusive to certain retailers.
With the lens fully retracted, the camera is small enough to fit in a reasonably large pocket, such as a jacket pocket.
It’s clear from the design and layout of the camera that Panasonic is aiming this at a beginner audience. As such, there’s not an overwhelming array of controls to choose from, which is good news for keeping it simple. The majority of the buttons are grouped on the right-hand side of the camera, meaning you can quickly access everything with your right thumb or forefinger if you’re shooting one-handed.
The top of the camera holds a mode dial for switching between different exposure modes. There’s a range of automatic options here, but anybody who's a bit more experienced should be pleased to see semi-automatic and manual options also available – this could be a great camera for experimenting and learning with.
There are two special buttons on the top of the camera which take you to two of the most appealing functions of the GX800. There’s a button for accessing the 4K Photo modes. In short, this allows you to extract stills from 4K video, which records at 30fps. That means that for every second something is happening, you will have 30 different shots to choose from – ideal for catching the precise moment or expression for fast-moving subjects, such as pets and kids.
On the other side of the top plate is the Post Focus button. This allows you to take a photo and then change the focus point afterwards in playback. It's a nifty feature that's particularly useful for macro and so on, but perhaps not something you’ll use quite as regularly as the 4K Photo modes.
On the back of the camera there’s a small selection of different buttons. A scrolling dial surrounds the four-way navigational pad and can be used to make adjustments to various settings depending on how you’re using the camera. The good news is that many of the buttons can be customised to your preferred way of shooting. A quick menu, accessed via its own button, can also also be customised to add or remove functions as you see fit.
Behind the battery door you’ll find not only the battery, but the memory card slot. That gets special mention because the camera accepts microSD cards, rather than full-sized SD. Annoying for anyone who already has a stack of SD cards lying around, but it's good news for anybody who's been using microSDs with their mobile phones.
PANASONIC GX800 – SCREEN
Unlike the other cameras in the GX line-up, the GX800 is not equipped with an eye viewfinder, electronic or otherwise. That’s a shame for anyone who likes to compose using one, but it's perhaps not surprising to see it omitted from an entry-level model. It’s not possible to add one via a hot shoe or accessories port either, as, well, there isn’t one. If you’re inclined to like eye viewfinders, you’d do well to take a look at the GX80, which sits just above the GX800, but doesn’t currently cost too much more to buy.
The screen is touch-sensitive, and tilts to allow you to face it forward for selfies and the like. The flip goes to the top of the camera, meaning that you’re OK to place the camera on a table or a tripod and take your selfies – particularly useful for group shots.
Via the screen you can also carry out a number of tasks. You can set the autofocus point, you can move through images in playback and you can select things from either the full menu or the quick menu. The screen is nice and responsive, and anybody who's moving up from a mobile phone should find it a particularly familiar way to work.
LS30 Wireless Gaming Headset
This LucidSound LS30 Wireless Gaming Headset is a stylish and sophisticated choice.
Boasting complete versatility and cross-platform compatibility, the LucidSound LS30 works seamlessly with the Xbox One and PS4, as well as legacy consoles including the Xbox 360 and PS3.
Equipped with intuitive controls and a revolutionary design, this gaming headset comes with an integrated microphone and a removable boom microphone, so that it can be used on the go with mobile gaming devices, phones and audio devices.
Useful info:
- Cross-platform compatibility
- Compatible with legacy consoles
- Intuitive, easy-to-use controls
- Integrated microphone
- Removable boom mic
- Suitable for mobile and audio devices
- LucidSound LS30 Wireless Gaming Headset
- Depth: 90 MM
- Height: 190 MM
- Width: 185 MM
- Gaming Accessory Type: Headsets
- http://www.very.co.uk
Apple iPod Nano
The death of the dedicated audio player has been greatly exaggerated. There are plenty of people who still want to play music from a source that isn't their smartphone. Certainly fitness enthusiasts will be fond of the iPod Nano's Nike+ integration. But even if you're not a runner and would rather hit the weights, you'll likely be fond of the Nano's diminutive size as alluded to by its name. It's small enough to slip into a pocket, even the smaller zippered pockets on a pair of running shorts. But the other reason you might want to listen on a dedicated audio player is to save battery life on your smartphone.
The current Nano, which is in its 7th generation, has been out for a few years now, but Apple hasn't revised its design since its original 2013 launch. There are numerous colour options now available including blue, silver, gold, space grey, pink and red after the introduction of a few new shades this year.
The 2.5in touchscreen is multitouch, and the iPod has obligatory Bluetooth, so you can use wireless headphones. Another coup for the fitness inclined. The whole thing is just 5.4mm thick and it weighs just 31g, so you can fit it almost anywhere. There's no clip on the back, so it's not quite as well suited to sporty users as the previous version. However, most people will be pleased with the improved movie viewing experience provided by the display’s 240x432 widescreen aspect ratio.
Like its squarer predecessor, the Nano’s touchscreen lets you flick between two menu screens displaying large icons. It even comes with a selection of wallpapers that are matched to the colour of the iPod itself. Unlike the iPod Touch, you can't install apps. The first menu provides shortcuts to your music, videos, podcasts and photos, along with a Nike Fitness app and radio tuner. On the second screen, you'll find a handy clock, settings menu shortcut and access to your audiobooks.
In addition to the usual options of sorting by playlist, artist, song, album or genre, you can also use Apple's Genius to put together a playlist of songs similar to the one you're currently listening to or create a playlist based on iTunes' analysis of your taste, but you have to enable the feature in the iTunes desktop client first. iTunes itself has undergone some changes lately, simplifying and streamlining its previously clunky interface, but in the process also removing a few familiar features, such as Cover Flow.
We're pleased that the sidebar that makes it easy to copy content from your PC to your iPod and move content between different playlists is still present. You can also opt to sync specific types of content only. As an example, can have your podcasts synced every time you connect the iPod to its associated PC, but not your music or videos. You can, of course, organise the content on the iPod Nano manually, too.
Audio files in MP3, AAC, AIFF, WAV and ALAC formats are supported, as are Audible format audiobooks; you'll have to convert other audio formats to a supported one to listen to them. Audio quality is, of course, very good indeed. The DACs favoured by Apple for its iPods are characteristically bassier than those used by some other rivals. The Nano sounds detailed and accurate, particularly if you upgrade it to a better pair of headphones. The Nano's warm sound complements balanced armature earphones extremely well and also sounds great through high-quality dynamic headphones such as Soundmagic E10s.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, there's no support for Apple's burgeoning music streaming service, Apple Music. So you'll have to make do with locally stored tunes and that does mean dealing with iTunes.
Like the new versions of the iPhone and iPod Touch, the Nano comes with the improved EarPod version of Apple's earphones. They're still white, plasticky and none too comfortable to wear, but they're less leaky than their predecessors and sound more detailed and less fuzzy. They sound a bit better overall too; they're not quite ear-canal headphones, but their plastic casing is shaped to direct sound to your eardrums and less towards innocent bystanders.
They also tend to sit in your ears more comfortably with less of a tendency to pop out at a moment's notice. Still, for anyone who wants to better appreciate their music library, you're better off replacing them with a higher quality pair of headphones. See our guide to the best headphones for some improved options.
The video player doesn't have very wide format support. It can't handle 1080p content at all, but will happily play standard Apple-compatible video content, such as 720p MPEG4 or H.264 encoded video in M4V, MOV or MP4 wrappers. We were slightly disappointed to find that video podcasts available via the Apple Store didn't appear in the video player's menu, but instead were only available in the podcast player.
Poor contrast on dark areas and the Nano’s small screen size make watching some content, especially fast-moving films, a bit painful, leaving us squinting despite the great clarity of the tiny display. It's great for bright TV and cartoon content, though, so it could be a decent entertainment device for younger viewers. We wouldn't want to watch it for extended periods, but it's excellent if you want to catch an episode of your favourite sitcom on the tube home or keep the kids entertained on a car ride.
Details | |
|---|---|
| Price | £115 |
| Rating | **** |
| Headphone Rating | *** |
Hardware | |
| Capacity | 16MB |
| Interface | USB |
| Storage medium | flash memory |
| Battery and charge options | Li-ion, USB |
| Size | 40x77x5mmmm |
| Weight | 31g |
Features | |
| Device has screen? | Yes |
| Viewable size | 2.5 in |
| Native resolution | 240x432 |
| Memory card support | none |
| FM Radio | yes |
| Audio record options | none |
| Video record options | none |
| Supplied with | headphones |
Test Results | |
| Tested battery life (MP3 playback) | 29h 40m |
| Tested battery life (Video playback) | 3h 57m |
| 500MB transfer time | 23s |
| Audio MP3 playback | Yes |
| Audio WMA playback | No |
| Audio WMA-DRM playback | No |
| Audio AAC playback | Yes |
| Audio Protected AAC playback | Yes |
| Audio OGG playback | No |
| Audio WAV playback | Yes |
| Audio Audible playback | Yes |
| Image BMP support | Yes |
| Image JPEG support | Yes |
| Image TIFF support | Yes |
| Video MPEG-4 AVI playback | No |
| Video MPEG-4 MP4 playback | Yes |
| Video WMV playback | No |
| Video MPEG-1 playback | No |
| Video MPEG-2 playback | No |
| Video MPEG-2 VOB playback | No |
| Video MPEG-4 DivX/XviD support | No |
| Video H.264 support | Yes |
| Video MPEG-4 MP3 audio support | Yes |
| Video MPEG-4 AAC audio support | Yes |
| Download compatibility | iTunes |
Buying Information | |
| Price per MB | 718.8p |
| Warranty | one year RTB |
| Supplier | http://www.amazon.co.uk |
| Details | www.apple.com |
SAMSUNG GEAR FIT 2
Key features:
- 1.5-inch 216 x 432 curved touchscreen display
- GPS-enabled
- Smartwatch functionality
- Waterproof to 1.5m for 30 minutes (IP68)
The display is bright and colourful and the touchscreen is really responsive, even when you’re all sweaty from a workout. As an everyday activity tracker, the Fit2 does a good job of keeping you informed and motivated. You get prompts whenever you stay sedentary or if you climb more floors, or stay more active previous days. There’s also automatic exercise tracking for running, cycling and the elliptical machine.
As there’s internal storage, you can save music straight to the Fit2, meaning you’re able to run free of your smartphone if you pair some Bluetooth headphones.
The Fit2 runs on Samsung’s own Tizen operating system, much like its new Gear S3 smartwatch. It feels slick and intuitive on the Fit2 and you can customise the widgets or change the watchface to your liking. The Fit2 also does an excellent job with smartphone notifications, bringing them up in a useful way and letting you quickly reply to messages.
The Samsung Gear Fit2 is one of the smartest fitness trackers out there, finding a nice balance of exercise tracking and smartwatch smarts.
Buy Now at Amazon.co.uk from £178 | Amazon.com from $129
At time of review the Garmin Vivoactive was available for £179.
TomTom Touch
TomTom se lance sur le marché des trackers d’activité avec une originalité sur son Touch : la mesure de la composition corporelle de l’utilisateur. Dans le même temps, il manque des fonctions de base comme le suivi du sommeil. Frustrant.
Connu pour ses systèmes de navigation GPS et plus récemment ses montres de sport, TomTom se lance sur le créneau déjà bien encombré des bracelets connectés avec le TomTom Touch. Un produit commercialisé au mois de septembre dernier au prix de 149 euros. Pour se distinguer, la marque néerlandaise met en avant sa capacité à mesurer la composition corporelle de l’utilisateur. Mais cela suffit-il à le faire rivaliser avec les bracelets du leader du marché Fitbit ?
Le TomTom Touch se compose d’un bracelet, d’un module intelligent et d’un câble USB. Il intègre un capteur de mouvement (accéléromètre et gyroscope), ainsi qu’un cardiofréquencemètre optique. A ce niveau de prix, on ne trouve pas de GPS. Il s’utilise enfin avec l’application MySports qui sert déjà à connecter les montres de la marque et fonctionne avec iOS et Android.
Le design est on ne peut plus classique, très proche du Xiaomi Mi Band 2 ou du Sony SmartBand 2 avec son bracelet en silicone noir et son petit module amovible à charger séparément. Le bracelet, disponible en deux tailles, s’ajuste parfaitement et se fixe bien solidement avec un système de crantage mais il laisse des traces sur la peau et peut provoquer des irritations comme cela nous est arrivé. Le module résiste aux éclaboussures (IPX7) sans pouvoir toutefois être immergé.
L’écran, inscriptions blanches sur fond noir, permet de faire défiler de nombreuses informations d’un glissement de doigt. En allant vers le bas, il affiche l’heure par défaut mais aussi le nombre de pas, les calories dépensées, les kilomètres parcourus et la durée du sommeil. En allant vers le haut, on accède à deux modes : la mesure de la fréquence cardiaque et celle de la composition corporelle. On peut paramétrer l’application de manière à ce que le capteur cardiaque fonctionne en permanence ou choisir de le lancer manuellement pour une activité en appuyant fortement sur le bouton du bracelet.
Une mesure corporelle un peu gadget
La mesure de la composition corporelle (calcul de la masse musculaire et graisseuse) que TomTom Touch est le seul à proposer après le Jawbone UP3, fait figure de produit d’appel. Cette fonction fonctionne grâce à un capteur de bio-impédance qui mesure la tension créée par le passage d’un très faible courant dans votre corps. On obtient un résultat avec un pourcentage de muscles et un autre de graisse.
Elle se lance en appuyant fortement sur le bouton du bracelet mais nécessite de maintenir la pression en continu avec son doigt et de ne pas bouger et de ne pas garder ses bras collés au corps. Si l’écran affiche une petite encoche, c’est que votre mesure a été parfaitement réalisée, si c’est une croix, il faut recommencer.
Seulement, voilà, à chaque mesure, on a trouvé un résultat légèrement différent, ce qui nous a fait douter de la fiabilité des données. Par ailleurs, même pour quelqu’un qui voudrait maigrir, le recours à cette fonctionnalité est loin d’être essentiel. Un peu gadget en conclusion.
Pas de suivi du sommeil
Le plus problématique reste cependant l’application MySports qui s'avère beaucoup trop rudimentaire par rapport à la concurrence, à niveau de prix équivalent. Premier constat, le suivi du sommeil manque à l’appel. Sur l’écran du bracelet, on accède au nombre d’heures que l’on a passé à dormir dans la journée mais les données sont effacées dès la nuit suivante et ne sont pas transmises à l’application. Résultat, pas de graphique permettant de comparer l’évolution du sommeil au fil des jours, ni de moyen de distinguer les différentes phases pour en connaître la qualité.
Autre point noir, les activités sportives. Le bracelet est configuré par défaut pour classer votre activité comme de la gym et ne fait absolument pas la différence entre la marche ou la course. Il faut donc aller corriger après-coup l’application pour requalifier votre entraînement. Et encore, les possibilités sont maigres puisque vous ne pourrez choisir qu’entre « course » ou « gym ». Or la catégorie de sport pratiquée a une incidence directe sur le nombre de calories brûlées. Impossible également de régler l’amplitude des foulées.
Concernant l’autonomie, TomTom Touch annonce jusqu’à cinq jours de suivi d’activité. C’est exactement ce que nous avons obtenu en utilisant en permanence le capteur cardiaque. Ce qui est beaucoup mieux que les performances obtenus par le Sony Smart Band 2 (seulement deux jours d’autonomie) et aussi bien que le Fitbit Charge 2. On conseille toutefois de ne pas activer par défaut la mesure cardiaque et de la lancer uniquement lors d'une séance de sport pour préserver la batterie.
FICHE TECHNIQUETomtom Touch
| Podomètre | Oui |
| Réglage de l'amplitude des foulées | Non |
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